Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania
Below you can find a full list of the top nursing schools in Pennsylvania to begin your college search process. Alternatively, you can utilize our search module to find traditional nursing programs or our online college portal for distance learning options. Take the time to sort the nursing college programs by criteria that is most important to you that may include geographic location, learning modalities, career alternatives, degree pathways, and financial aid trends. Degree types that exist within the nursing domain include a number of graduate and undergraduate paths. Examples include bridge programs (like the LPN to BSN), undergraduate degrees (BSN, ADN), graduate programs, (PhD, MSN, DNSc), and nursing certificates (undergraduate and graduate). Areas of concentration offered by universities in Pennsylvania will vary from school to school and may include degrees like nurse anesthetist, nursing science, pediatric nurse, or nursing assistant to name a few. Before practicing, you will be required to hold a degree from an accredited college and pass the NCLEX before applying for licensing from the Pennsylvania State Nursing Board. Organize your priorities and quickly find the best nursing degree in Pennsylvania by career path, school, and degree with our immense digital library.
Browse Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania By Type
- (LPN) Licensed Practical Nurse (40 Schools)
- (ADN-RN) Registered Nurse (43 Schools)
- (BSN) Bachelor of Science in Nursing (55 Schools)
- (MSN) Master of Science in Nursing (20 Schools)
Top Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Programs in Pennsylvania By Number of Graduates
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) programs usually take 9 - 12 months to complete and you would have to pass a licensing exam prior to being licensed in the state. Schools listed below are sorted by the number of LPN program students enrolled.
Top Associate Level Registered Nurse (RN) Programs in Pennsylvania By Number of Graduates
The minimum degree requirement to become a Registered Nurse is to obtain an Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) or Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree, which usually takes about 2 years to complete. You would also have to pass the NCLEX-RN exam prior to being state licensed. Schools listed below are sorted by the number of students enrolled in the program.
Top Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Programs in Pennsylvania By Number of Graduates
See the top schools offering a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. A BSN program usually takes 4 years to complete, and a licensing exam (NCLEX) is also required. Some of these schools may also offer a RN to BSN bridge programs. The top 10 schools listed below are sorted by the number of students enrolled in their BSN program.
| Institution Name | Request Information |
|---|---|
| Drexel University | Request Info |
| Immaculata University | Request Info |
| University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus | Request Info |
| Villanova University | Request Info |
| Holy Family University | Request Info |
| La Salle University | Request Info |
| University of Pennsylvania | Request Info |
| Gwynedd Mercy College | |
| Widener University - Main Campus | Request Info |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania | Request Info |
| Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Abington | Request Info |
| California University of Pennsylvania | Request Info |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania | Request Info |
| York College Pennsylvania | Request Info |
| Pennsylvania State University | Request Info |
| Cedar Crest College | Request Info |
| Robert Morris University | |
| Waynesburg University | Request Info |
| Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences | Request Info |
| DeSales University | Request Info |
Top Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs in Pennsylvania By Number of Graduates
Getting your Master of Science in Nursing will take about 5-7 years from start to finish. You would still need to take a exam prior to being fully licensed to practice in the state. The schools listed below are sorted by the number of students enrolled in their Master's program.
| Institution Name | Request Information |
|---|---|
| Drexel University | Request Info |
| Pennsylvania State University | Request Info |
| Waynesburg University | Request Info |
| Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania | Request Info |
| Wilkes University | Request Info |
| University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus | Request Info |
| Clarion University of Pennsylvania | Request Info |
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania | Request Info |
| Temple University | Request Info |
| Mansfield University of Pennsylvania | Request Info |
| Robert Morris University | |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania | Request Info |
| Chatham University | Request Info |
| Gannon University | Request Info |
| La Roche College | Request Info |
| University of Pennsylvania | Request Info |
| DeSales University | Request Info |
| Holy Family University | Request Info |
| University of Scranton | Request Info |
| Wilson College | Request Info |
Registered Nurses in Pennsylvania can make a salary between $49,000 to $87,000 per year. The list below shows registered nurse salaries in areas throughout Pennsylvania.
- Lebanon: $69,000
- East Stroudsburg: $70,000
- Chambersburg, Waynesboro: $74,000
- Gettysburg: $67,000
- Pittsburgh: $65,000
Nurse's in Pennsylvania Compared to Median Income Averages
+88% Above State Median Income
+86% Above National Median Income
Nurse's in Pennsylvania take home an average 33.06 per hour. Annual earnings for Nurse's working in the State of Pennsylvania average $68,770 which is 88% above the state median income and 86% above the national median income for all occupations. Employment for a Nurse makes up just 0.09% of the working population in Pennsylvania and is limited due to the specific qualifications required along with the schooling involved in this career path. The increasing demand for qualified Nurses coupled with the educational barrier to enter the field is met with a steady supply of eager college graduates anxious to make a long-lasting impact in the lives of others in and around Pennsylvania.
Average Income for a Nurse in Pennsylvania
| Employment | Median Hourly Wage | Median Annual Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Nurse | 139,480 | $33.06 | $68,770 |
| State Average | 5,924,400 | $17.63 | $36,670.40 |
| National Average | 153,156,000 | $17.82 | $37,040 |
Source:
Graduate data is from the 2013-2014 school year.
IPEDS Survey 2012-2015: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.